Professional Documents
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Sensory Integration and Chronic Schizophrenia Past Present and Future.
Sensory Integration and Chronic Schizophrenia Past Present and Future.
and
Chronic Schizophrenia:
Past, Present and Future
Virginia J. Hixson and
Arthur W. Mathews.
Abstract
This paper brieflyoutlines the therapy of sensory inte~ration as developed by Dr. A. Jean Ayres, including
a ~r~akdown of the most prevalent types of dysfunction. In an extensive literature review which includes
writings from 1811 through to the present day, the symptoms of schizophrenia which may be related
to.s~nsory inte~ative d~ficit are then ex?mine~. Finally: current research and treatment programs which
utll.lze sensory Integrative: treatmen~ w.lth schl~op~remcs a~e reviewed, with emphasis on a program
review conducted at Whitby Psychiatric Hospital In Ontario, 1981. Implications for future treatment
and research are explored.
Basic Sensory Integration Theory p.ri~ary to sen~orr integration and its function so spe-
cialized, that It IS generally accorded consideration
The theory of sensory integration was developed in the
separ~te fr~m that given to muscle, joint and ligament
1950's by Dr. A. Jean Ayres (Ayres, 1974) and was
applied specifically to learning disabled children. Since proprioception (Bellhorn, 1972; Ayres, 1974; Ayres,
then, research by Ayres and others (Silberzahn, 1975; 1974b; Barr, 1979). The role of this system is often
Rider, 1978; Endler and Eimon, 1978; Larson, 1982, overlooked as its functions take place largely below the
Ottenbacher, 1982 etc.) has led to a continuous modifica- level of aw~ren.ess. Sensations are evident only when
tion and refinement of the theory. the syste~ ~s dl~turbe~ ~r when the digestive tract is
affec~ed, glvmg nse to dizziness, vertigo, nausea, a feeling
Essentially, sensory integration involves taking a sen-
of faintness, or a 'lost in space' feeling that has been
sation in, processing the information, and then connect-
referred to as postural insecurity, or 'primal terror'.
ing this to make sense of the environment. This ability
develops in a predictable, genetically determined se- (Ayres, 1974; Weeks, 1979; Shaffer, 1979). The vestibu-
lar syst~m is constantly receiving input from the force
quence, and if this is delayed or modified, sensory
integrative _dysfunction results. Such a dysfunction of ~ravlty and allows one to detect motion (vertical,
hampers a: person's ability to relate to his environment, h~nzontal or rotary) especially acceleration and deceler-
and therefore affects his ability to adapt to the changes anon, as these affect the semicircular canals in the inner
ear. The ~nstant reception of the earth's gravitational
required in effective daily living.
According to Dr. Ayres. "Sensory integration, or the pull helps m the development of a basic sense of security,
ability to organize sensory information for use, can be a sense that the ground will always be where it is
expected to be.
improved through controlling input to active brain
mechanisms." (Ayres, 1974, p. 15). In treatment, the
ontogenetically earlier systems (i.e. vestibular, tactile and Proprioceptive Function and Praxis:
proprioceptive), are given primary attention, as sensory
integration aims at promoting sequential development Pr?prioception refer~ .to information about the body
and as they seem to have the most widespread effect ansmg from muscle.joint and ligament receptors as well
on general function, (Ayres, 1974; Ayres, 1974b; Barr as those associated with bone. As with vestibular input,
1979). ' if the system is functioning normally, much of the
information received by these receptors does not reach
Vestibular function: the level of consciousness unless attention is concentrat-
ed on it. Proprioception is critical to the motor action
The vestibular apparatus, strictly speaking, is part of by ,:"hich reflexes,. automatic responses and planned
the proprioceptive system, however its importance is so motion occur and IS therefore basic to human survival.
Proprioception can be subdivided into a kinetic sense
Virginia. J. Hixson, O.T.R., O.T.(C). Sr. Occupational therapist, (sensation of active or passive movement, an awareness
Occupational Therapy Department, Whitby Psychiatric Hospital of the motion of a limb or body part) and a static sense
Whitby, Ontario. '
~rthur W. Mathews, B.Sc. (O.T.) Occupational Therapist, Occupa-
(a sense of position). The development of proprioception
tional. Therapy Department, Whitby Psychiatric Hospital, Whitby, serves as a base for the development of both praxis
Ontano. and visual perception, (Ayres and Heskett, 1972; Ayres,
FEBRUARY IFEVRIER 1984 19
1974; Silberzahn, 1975; Montague, 1978; Shaffer, 1979; tically early system, when balanced by the more ad-
Resman, 1981). Without good proprioceptive informa- vanced discriminative system, continues to serve a valu-
tion about the extent and force of larger movement, able function in alerting the individual to close stimuli
the development of praxis and correct body scheme is and in preparing him (physically and emotionally) in
hampered. dangerous situations.
Ayres states: Adaptive behaviour and modern life however, require
The body scheme is basic to all motor action. It is more than a general alerting and a diffuse response to
defined as the knowledge we have of the construction danger. One must have more specific information about
and spatial relationship of the different anatomical the environment. If the body is constantly dealing with
elements such as finger, legs, arms, that make up the touch as a warning of danger, giving necessary attention
body. It involves being able to visualize these elements to the finer aspects of tactile stimuli becomes impossible.
in the movement and in different positional relation- For effective function, the discriminative system must
ships... Active motion provides the individual with be able to inhibit the excitation of the protective system.
the knowledge of his physical self, how it is related Additionally however, when danger does threaten, the
and how it can deal with space (body scheme). Motion person must be alerted to it and be able to respond
enables the body to learn the most about its relation quickly. Ayres (1974; 1974b), postulates that the balance
to space for motion elicits the greatest number of of two well functioning systems fluctuates to meet the
proprioceptive impulses. (Ayres, 1974b, p. 52). requirements of the specific circumstances an individual
Poorly developed body scheme results in what Ayres finds himself in. If the person is threatened or if the
terms developmental dyspraxia. In extreme cases this system is malfunctioning, the protective system domi-
may mean the inability to unconsciously plan a simple nates. Otherwise, the discriminative system is predomi-
movement such as standing up or picking up an object nant.
from a table. This necessitates the employment of higher Disorders in tactile perception may occur in either
level cortical function for these low level tasks at the system or may be noticed as an imbalance in the two.
expense of internal energy resources and efficiency. If an imbalance exists, its most common manifestation
In a review of neurophysiological experiments related is tactile defensiveness which is connected with fear of
to cortical and subcortical integration of sensory stimuli, touch, increased motor activity, anxiety and withdrawal,
Foulks (1960) found considerable evidence indicating (Ayres, 1972; Ayres, 1974; Ayres, 1974b; Montague,
that if one concentrates on a motion, this has a detri- 1978).
mental effect on the quality and accuracy of that motion. The second functional cutaneous afferent system pos-
Additionally, muscles controlled by attention fatigue tulated, that of discriminative touch, serves as a source
rapidly. It was found that more afferent impulses were of specific tactile information about the environment.
received in the cortex when attention was not being Through the manipulation of objects and the tactile
directed toward a movement in execution. Thus, the input involved in moving objects, the individual de-
neurophysiological result of dyspraxia compounds the velops form and space perception and develops reliance
problem. upon the tactile messages his system receives. Dysfunc-
Visual skills and perception are also affected by poor tion in the discriminative tactile system results not only
proprioceptive function as inadequate information from in poor tactile accuracy, but also hampers the develop-
the muscle spindles in fine occular muscles results in ment of body scheme, motor coordination and form and
poor occular control. The development of visual percep- space perception. Tasks which others find easy, e.g.
tion is thus inaccurate and unreliable, interfering further dressing, become monumental without reliable tactile
with higher level learning. information. Self confidence and self esteem suffer.
Resume
Cet article a pour but de definir brievement ce qu'est l'integration des sens telle qu'expliquee par Ie
Dr. A. Jean Ayres, mettant en valeur les cas type les plus communs de malfonction. Par une recherche
etendue de la litterature comprenant des ecrits de 1811 jusqu'a nos jours, les symptomes de schyzophrenie
qui paraissent associes a la defieience de l'integration des sens sont a l'etude,
En conclusion, les recherches et traitements actuels employant la methode d'integration des sens pour
les cas de schizophrenic sont examines et mettent en valeur une revue du programme developpe a
I'Hopital Psychiatrique de Whitby en 1981.
Les possibilites de traitements et recherches a venir sont egalement etudiees,